For thousands of students across the city, the daily commute is a test of patience and resilience. Often marked by long waits, multiple matatu connections, fluctuating fares, and safety concerns. Now, three students from Strathmore University are seeking to change that narrative through a student-led transport innovation dubbed Catatu.

The initiative, developed by Denzel Damba, Ben Kyaka, and Keith Mashine, seeks to provide a more structured, reliable, and safer commuting option tailored to students. The founders say the idea was shaped not in theory, but through lived experience.

Damba, a third-year Bachelor of Business Information Technology student, recalls the unpredictability of his daily commute, often involving multiple matatus and long waiting periods. His turning point came after a phone was snatched from him while commuting.

“My daily commute involved connecting two different matatus. I would find myself fighting over a seat with grown men and women. It felt like scrambling back at a high school canteen,” said Damba.

Kyaka, also pursuing Business Information Technology, shares a similar experience. “I experienced a mugging while commuting home. That moment changed my perspective. I realized commuting wasn’t just inefficient, it could also be dangerous,” he said.

Such experiences, the students argue, are not isolated. Rather, they reflect a wider acceptance of inefficiencies within Nairobi’s public transport system.

“I think as a society, we have quietly learned to accept substandard services for so long that it becomes the norm,” Damba noted.

The idea for Catatu began with a simple survey circulated via WhatsApp groups to gauge whether other students faced similar challenges. The response was overwhelming, with dozens expressing frustration over inefficiencies and safety concerns. This validation led to the formation of the team and the development of the concept.

Catatu, derived from a blend of “cab” and “matatu,” aims to bridge the gap between affordability and reliability. At its core, Catatu is a coordinated mobility system designed specifically for university students. The model replaces fragmented, multi-stage commutes with direct, scheduled routes from residential areas to campus during peak hours.

Instead of waiting at multiple stages or navigating the CBD, students board a single bus, with routes activated only when a minimum number of prepaid passengers is reached, ensuring both efficiency and operational sustainability. By partnering with existing bus operators rather than owning vehicles, the platform remains flexible and scalable while reducing capital requirements.

In essence, Catatu connects verified demand with structured supply, transforming commuting from a daily uncertainty into a predictable system. However, the journey from idea to implementation has not been without challenges.

“We honestly thought it would be a walk in the park,” Damba admitted, reflecting on early expectations.

The team’s initial attempt to launch operations with a 36-seater bus resulted in low uptake, with only nine passengers, leading to financial losses. The experience, they say, underscored the importance of starting small and adapting quickly to user behavior.

Beyond financial hurdles, the team has had to navigate operational challenges, including route planning, time management, and coordination with drivers in an unpredictable urban environment.

“Planning routes, managing time, coordinating pickups requires constant adjustment,” Kyaka explained.

Balancing academic responsibilities alongside building a startup has added another layer of complexity.

“You don’t. You go with the flow. What needs to be done ASAP? You go for it,” said Mashine, a first-year Financial Services student, describing the realities of juggling both worlds.

Despite these challenges, the service has gradually gained traction among students, offering a glimpse of what a more structured commuting system could look like.

“It truly warms my heart. Seeing people actively use our solution gives me a reason to wake up and keep working every day,” Damba said.

For Kyaka, the impact is equally tangible. “When you see someone use a service that exists because of an idea you discussed months ago, it becomes real,” he said.

Beyond transport, the initiative reflects a broader shift in how young innovators define success and responsibility.

“Success is no longer about titles or comfort. It is about growth, impact, and persistence,” Kyaka said.

Looking ahead, the founders envision Catatu evolving into a structured mobility solution with expanded routes, technology integration, and partnerships across institutions.

“I see us becoming a key player in solving Nairobi’s transport problem,” Damba said.

For Ben, the vision stretches even further, into structured systems, partnerships, and scalable models that could reshape urban mobility.

And for Keith? “Probably running a conglomerate,” he says,

As Nairobi continues to grapple with congestion and inefficiencies in public transport, student-led innovations such as Catatu highlight the growing role of young people in shaping practical, locally driven solutions. As the initiative continues to grow, the founders are inviting the wider Strathmore University community to join the Catatu WhatsApp community and become part of the movement toward safer, more reliable, and student-centered commuting.

Article written by Stephen Wakhu.